Shaving implement



May 6,1941.l N. msn' 2,240,633

s nAyfIHolpgPLEm-:Nr A

Filed March 1o, 195e z'sneets-sneet 1 ATT NEY* May 6, 1941.

. N. TEsTl sHAvAING. IMPLEMENT Filed Mlauczh= 10. 1938 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR ,e ATToR Patented May' s, 1941A l2,240,633 :UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFFlc A andere I b SHAVING IMPLEMENT Nichol rau, noton. Mase, wiener to Gmane Y Safety Iller Company, Boltoxn Mau., a oor-- poration. Delaware j Application Much 1o, 193s, serial No. 195.125 A creation of duuness.

1s claim.

f This inventionrelates to implements (lemmi for shaving `without the use of lather and to that end employing cooperating shearing members. The general objects of the invention are to improve implements of this class in respect to economy of construction and facility in replacement of parts as well as to improve the efficiency and closeness of their function in shaving.

An important feature of my invention consists in a shearing member or blade of thin sheet steel. for example, such steel as is commonly used for safety razor blades or other thin resilient strip stock which may be obtained commercially in very accurate dimensions and of a thickness of .004 or thereabouts. I have found that a stationary shearing member may be fashioned from such strip stock by transversely curving or bowing the stock and thereby rendering it suf` flciently stili in cross-section to maintain its .shape in use. The employment of such stock insures a product of uniform character and obviates the necessity ofexpensive grinding operations. which would otherwise be necessary in orderl to secure anywhere near a similar degree of uniformity in this important element of the implement. A shearing member of this character may be constructedl at very low cost and so responding curvature.

may be replaced at little expense at the first in- Thus the user isinsured of a. shaving implement' operating always with a high degree of eillciency.

Another important feature of my invention consists in an adjustable blade-flexing member operating to flex a stationary shearing member independently of the movable cutter and-having no motion in the operation of theimplement developing objectionable friction, that is to say. having an adjusting movement but no longitudinal movement with reference to the blade.

This construction permitsadjusting the flexible shearing blade to any desired degree of curvature without in any way affecting the pressure of contact between it and the movable cutter. In general the pick-up eillciency of the shearing blade is improved by lincreasing its transverse curvature and it is, of course, desirable to maintain constant and moderate pressure between the curved blade and the cutter under all conditions lol. curvature. In, one important aspect therefore lmy invention consists in a shaving implement having a flexible shearing blade retainedk at its edges in a holder, in combination with a normally stationary but adjustable bladeexlng member and a movable cutter maintained vin engagement with the flexed blade. Preferably and as herein 'shown separate yielding means are provided for maintaining the cutter in shearing engagement with the flexed blade.

While the present invention contemplates eiring the stationary shearing blade to any de' sireddegree of transverse curvature it is desirable from the standpoint of commercial manufacture to provide the implement withl blade nexing means by which the shearing blades in a quantity of implements may be quickly and accurately'iiexed to the same degree in order that the contour of the cutters may be givena corscrews are provided for moving the bladehexingmember and these are so designed that when screwed into -the limit of their movement the desired predetermined curvature will be imparted to the flexible shearing blade. that being the curvature of the contour of the cutter' supplied in the implement.

The shape and location of the blade-flexing member is of secondary importance. It may b'e arranged to compress the blade edgewise or to 'engage the fiat face of a blade held at its longitudinal edges and in the'accompanying drawings blade-flexing members of both types. are illustrated. One satisfactory form of' blade-flexing member comprises a bar which is U-shaped in cross-section so that it presents spaced walls for engaging the face of the flexible blade and where thisconstruction is employed the cutter may be mounted formovement between the walls of the blade-nexing member. In this construction, or in any construction where theblade-exing member engages the face of the iexible blade, I have found it advisable to slot the walls of the exing member to provide transverse hair passages in alignment with the apertures of the blade which provide the shearingfteeth therein so that hairs may pass freely in a transverse direction -into the shearing zone of the implement.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood and appreciated from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the head on al still larger scale on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view on the scale of Fig. 3;

` Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in cross-section of L the head illustrating a modined construction;

Fig. 6 is a correspondingm fragmentary plan view;l y Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the blade-flexing member in 'a different position l from that shown in Fig. 5;

nu. s and '9 are views in perspective of blades of alternative design;

As herein shown headed4 Fig. is a view of an alternative form of implement shown in section, on the line I-III of Fig. 11;

Fig. 11 is a corresponding view in longitudinal section;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a blade of still another alternative form;

Fig.` 13 is a view corresponding to Fig. 10 but showing the head removed; I

Fig. 14 is a view in side elevation of the blade exing member and associated parts;

Fig. 15 is a view in end elevation of ya head of alternative construction;

Fig. 16 is a corresponding view showing the blade clamped in flexed position in the head of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary view` in elevation, partly in. section corresponding to Fig. 16.

'I'he implement shown in Figs. 1-4 includes in its structure an elongated handle Iii of Bakelite or other mouldable material which is shaped to Serve also as the housing of an operating motor for the implement. At its upper end, the handle is provided with a socket formed by spaced flanges for the reception of the metallic head of the implement. Forv retaining this in place a clampingscrew II is provided in one of the side flanges of the handle.

The head I2 is' an elongated steel member' having a wide, downwardly extending, centrally disposed rib I3 arranged to fit into the socket of the lhandle and to be engaged by the clamping screw I I. Thehead is provided with upstanding longitudinal side flanges at its edges defining awide open space in the head and in the inner walls of the side flanges are formed deep transverse channels I4 extending from one end to the other of the anges. The channels Il are disposed opposite to each other at the same level and are arranged to receive the opposite edges of a thin flexible blade I5.

The blade may be slipped endwise into the channels I4 while in dat condition and is subsequently bowed'upwardly as will be presently explained. The blade herein shown for purposes.

of illustration is provided with' a series of apertures in the shape of transverse slots I6 forming shearing teeth and also has a centrally disposed notch I'I in each end.

The head I2 is provided with a central longl-l tudinal channel of rectangular cross-section and in this is mounted an elongated blade-flexing `member I8 which is U-shaped in cross section and initially located with the top of its side walls slightly below the plane of the blade I6' when the latter is positioned with its edges in the channels I4. The blade exing member I3 is provided at both ends of its walls with upstanding end lugslQ and these are arranged to project in spaced relation into the end notches I1 of the blade when the latter is flexed and so anchor it positively against longitudinal displacement in the implement.

The blade flexing member I3 is supported upon the upper ends of a-palr of adjusting screws 20 which are threaded into the rib I3 of the head and provided with pilot extensions passing upwardly into holes provided for that purpose in the bottom of the blade flexing member I2 and so holding that member against longitudinal movement in the head. After the blade I3 has been properly positioned in the head the screws 20 are turned inwardly forcing the blade flexing member I8v ahead of them into engagement with the lower face of the blade I3. The screws 2l are turned inwardly until the blade is flexed transverselyinto an upwardlybowed condition asshown in Fig. 1 and by dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 3. The degree of curvature imparted to the blade may be adjusted to a nicety by manipulation of the screws 20, although it is limited by the'position to which the ends of the screws may be elevated when their heads engage the bottom of the rib I3. In the upward movement of the member I8 its side walls engage the blade along parallel lines spaced inwardly from the sides of the head and located in the open space between the sides thereof.

A cutter comprising an elongated bar 2i is mounted for reciprocation between the side flanges of the blade flexing member I8. The cutter is provided in its upper edge with transverse l slots forming shearing teeth 22 and is arranged to be yieldingly pressed at all times against the pins-23, each having a collar beneath which is engaged the upper end of a compression spring 24.

The pins 23 are provided with heads at their .lower ends which are received in recesses formed in the handle I0. The pins 23 pass through a retaining plate 23 fastened to the handle II) and the compression springs 24 are engaged between the upper face of this plate and the collars upon the pins. It will thus be seen that the pins are urged upwardly at all times and serve to hold the cutter 2I yieldingly against the blade I5, being rounded at their upper ends to permit longitudinal vibration of the cutter bar without undue friction.

The cutter is reciprocated by a motor disposed within the handle or housing I0. In Fig. 2 a

portion of the rotor 2B is shown and from this projects upwardly a shaft 21 having a driving eccentric 23 upon its upper end. The eccentric 28 is received within a recess in the bottom of the cutter 2|. The intervening portions of the bladeflexing member I8, of the rib I3 and of the handle I0 are bored to provide for the passage of the shaft 21 with suitable clearance.

It will be understood that while the blade-ilexing member IB and cutter occupy their lowered position as shown in Fig. 3, the blade I5 is free to be moved endwise out of the channels I4 in the head for purposes of cleaning or replacement. When the blade is positioned in the head the blade-flexingmember I3 may be elevated to impart the desired degree of curvature to the blade. In this flexing movement the edges of the blade are drawn somewhat together but the channels Il are of suflicient depth to preclude the danger of disengagement. The height to which the blade flexing member can be lifted is limited by the length oi' the screws 20. In Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noted that the screws 20 have been moved to the limit of their upward movement since their heads engage the bottom of the rib I3. 'Ihe cutter bar 2i is moved upwardly by the spring-pressed pins 23 in all positions of the blade-flexing member and is maintained at all times ln shearing contact with the lower face of the blade I3. that is, the pressure' of the spring pins 23 is adequate to keep the cutter in constant contact with the flexed blade but not to cause any appreciable change of shape in the blade.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the blade-flexing member 30 is similar to that. already described except that it is provided in the upper edge of its side walls with a series ment with the blade ,l5 so that l ilisned with the slots 54 f in its for retaining it in place.

9,240,633 e i V `l lower face with a recess in which is located an eccentric pin formed on the upper end of the driving shaft 55.

4'I'he length of the struts 52` is suchV that when they occupy an upright or vertical position as shown in Fig. 11 the cutter 50 is forced upwardly into blade-nexiug Position and the blade 45 is elevated the teeth 5I make interlocking engagethe blade is simultaneously exed transversely and locked positively against longitudinal i2.l As already intimated the passages 32 are ofthe blade which provide the stationary shearing teeth of the implement. 'I'he cutter, supplying the movable shearing tact with the under face of the exed blade 53 in the manner already explained.

In Figs. 10, 11, 13 and' 14 is illustrated animplement having certain features ofthe present invention embodied therein vand in which the movable cutter itself acts as a blade-ilexing member. 'Ilie handle 40 is provided with Aa socket upper end for the reception of the head of the implement and with a clamping screw 4i The head of the immovement in the head teeth, is reciprocated in yielding con-y thus maintained in transversely bowed condition. The action ofthe eccentric pin is to reciprocate i the cutter 55 in a short path of longitudinal movement but the amplitude ofthis movement is not suilicien't to produce noticeable vertical movement in the cutter and so the latter is maintained 'continuous in yielding shearing engagement with the innerA face of the flexible blade 46. When the clamping screw 4I is released and the 4head removed 'from the handle,

the struts sz may be rocked, as indicated in' 14:, sumclently to lower the cutter 501from its ilexing engagement with the blade 46 and when l so released the blade may be removed endwlse y explained.

plement comprises a sheet metal shell and solid steel body portion. The shell comprises two upstanding perforated end plates 42 bent up from opposite ends of abottom plate 45 and spaced apart to-receive the solid body portion of the head. The upper portion 44 of the head is provided with a large open recess bounded by spaced side walls which are provided with opposed grooves to receive a flat flexible blade 45. The

' lower portion 45 of the headis reduced in width:

andlcomprises a wide downwardly extending rib of such dimensions as to lit into the socket of the hande above the bottom plate 45 and in; position to be engaged by the clamping screw 4I; 'As already explainedthe end plates 52 extend upwardly at opposite ends of the head and when the head is in place they engage the ends oi the blade 45 and prevent it from being displaced longitudinally in the implement.

The ilexible blade 45 is shown as provided with a series of-transverse slots 4l. 'I'hese slots provide shearing edges in the blade. The individual slots are provided alternately at their opposite ends with rounded enlargements which in use act to collect the hairs to be sheared and to direct them to the shearing zone of the implement. It

' will be-understoodthat when thehead of the implement is removed from the handle 40 and from between the upstanding end platesl 42, the blade 46 may be slipped edgewise into thel grooves inl the side walls of the head, spanning the open recess therein as suggested in Fig. 10.

The upper portion 44 of the head is provided with a longitudinal internal channel opening into the space between its side walls and adapted to receive 'the vibrating cutter 50. This comprises a dat and elongated bar having chemins teeth 5| in its upper edge and arranged to be supported in" shearing engagement Awith the blade 45 'l' a pair of spaced swinging struts or links These struts have rounded lower ends which are 'retained in sockets in the flange portion of the head Kand are received attheir upper ends in ilaring openings or recesses in the bottom ot the cutter. The cutter ,55 is also provided il its motor as already suggested. The blade-flexing i from between the grooves of the head-as already In Figs. 15, 16 and 17 is illustrated `an implement oi' modified constructionin which certain features of the present invention are embodied and in which the blade-flexing member is laterally movable, instead of being movable in a path at right angles to the flexible blade as in implements previously disclosed. In these gures the head only oi' the implement is shown and this may be usedwith the handle shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or with the handle shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

The head 54 comprises an upper portion having an open longitudinal recess in its upper face and a shouldered rib of reduced-width in its lower,

portion. One sldeof the head is made removable and this part 55 comprises the blade-exing member of the implement and has a longitudinal rib in its inner face arranged to fit a corresponding channel in the side of the head. A 'clamping kscrew 55 is provided which is threaded into the' body of the head. The integral side of the head l andthe removable flexing member 55 are lbo'th provided with inwardly directed ribs di; 'their v upper edges forming longitudinal channels for the receptionof a exible apertured blade 5l shown more particularly jin Fig. 9. 'I'he open spacein the top of the head is bounded by longitudinal shoulders upon which the blade may be preliminar-ily exed in bringing the blade-flexing member 55 into its operative relation, that is, one edge of the blade 51 is-hooked into the groove in the internal side of the head, then the other edge of the blade is hooked under. the

rib of the ilexing member 55 and the latter is forced into-place and drawn inwardly bythe clamping screw 55 while the blade 51 is bowed transversely and held in this position as shown in Fia'. 15.

'me head is provided with a longitudinal chadnel 0i rectangular cross-section which opens at its upper edge into the open space in the head and is provided with a pair of spring-pressed balls 5| which normally project slightly above its` bottom wall. 'I'he cutter itself, which comprises an elongated bar serrated in its upper edgeto form shearing teeth, is mounted for reciprocation. in the channel in the head andl may be reciprocated by operating connection with the member 55 may be adjusted to the limit of its inward movement, as shown in Fig. 16 thus imparting a maximum curvature to the blade 5l,l

or it may be'movedto an intermediate position corresponding to less vcurvature in the blade.

The blade 51 is formed of thin sheet steel as already explained and is herein shown' as provided with two spaced series of rectangular apertures 6B forming stationary shearing teeth. The marginal edges of the blade are roughened or serrated in zones 59 and the overhanglng ribs of the blade clamping elements--maybe -correspondingly roughed or corrugated so that 1ongi v tudinal shifting of the blade is positively prevented when the blade is once clamped in the head.

An alternative form of blade is shown in Fig.

12. This is provided with two series of keyholel slots 63 spaced from each other'and outwardly directed in the body and having an intermediate row of circular apertures 84. All o! these apertures form shearing edges with which cooperate the movable shearingl teeth of the cutter mem-K 20,

ber. The cutter is of such a width as to leave the outer. ends of the apertures free to receive hairs as the implement is moved across the face of the user.

Havingthus disclosed my invention and described several desirable embodiments thereof an apertured flexible blade engaged at its edges parted'to the blade by said blade-flexing means.

Aes

for purposes 'of illustration but not in anylimit-i ing sense.' I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

14A shaving 'implement comprising a holder,

having side members' for engaging the longitudinal edges of a blade, a thin flexible blade having an opening presenting shearing-edges,`a t

blade ilexing member adiustable with respect to said sidemembers to bow the blade transverselyf5 to varying degrees voi? curvature, and a reciprocatory cutter yieldingly maintained in contact with the bowed blade.

2. A shaving implement having a nexibie apertured blade, a holder having opposed transverse.-

channels for receiving` the opposite edges oi the able in contact with the bowed blade in a path determined `by the curvatureI ,which has been impartedto said blade.

3. A shaving implement having a flexible aber tured blade, a holder arranged to engage the, longitudinal edges oiy the blade and leave free an intermediate, zone therein, a blade exing member having spaced` walls for engaging lthe blade insaid intermediate zone t en the same.

and a cutter arranged to reciprocate between. 55

said walls in contact with the flexed blade.

4. A shaving implement comprising va head l blade. adjustable-means having a face for engag having a ilexible blade held at its edges therein,

a blade-exing member movable in the head to engage an ,intermediate portion oi' the blade, ad? iusting means for said member acting .to hold the same against longitudinal displacement in the head.fand a movable cutter cooperating with the exed blade. l

5. A shaving implement comprising a head having a flexible blade held at its edges therein, a blade-flexing member shaped to contact with the blade throughout its length, an adjustinglscrew in the head engaging said member at each end, a reeiprocatorycutter positioned by said blade-ilexingmember in shearing' relation to the flexedv blade. and a spring device located adjacent weeen-adjustingiscrew for holding the cutter against the exed blade.

7. A shaving implement comprising a holder, a exible slotted blade engaged at its edges by the holder, an elongated blade-flexing member of U-shaped cross section adjustably mounted in the head and having its side walls slotted to provide hair-passages registering with the slots` of the blade, and an elongated cutter mounted between the walls ot said member to reciprocate face maintained in shearing engagement withv the bowed blade and movable in a path determined by the curvature that has been imparted to the blade by said blade-bowing means.

9. A shaving implement comprising a holder,

a iiexible apertured blade removably retained therein, an elongated blade-ilexing member having` blade-engagingV face and being movable toward and from the blade to flex it transversely, said member being held against longitudinal movement, and a cutter arranged to be reciprocated longitudinally in shearing engagement with the flexed blade and in a path'determined by the transverse curvature that has' been imparted thereto by said blade-nexing member. l0. A shaving-implement comprising a flexible blade having a roughened marginal edge, a holder having roughened means for engaging the blade edge while the latter is curved transversely for preventing longitudinal displacement of the blade, and a reciprocatory cutter. l1. A shaving implement having a head with spaced side walls provided with grooves and bounding an open recess in the head, a iiexible blade held at its edges in said grooves and spanning the recess, and a blade-exing member having a blade-engaging portion and being movable in the recess to engage the blade and impart transverse curvature thereto and a reciprocatory cutter movable adjacent to said blade-ilexing member and in contact with the yiiexible blade. l2. A shaving implement having a head with spaced-blade-engaging walls, a channelled bladeexing member movable in the space between said walls to ex a blade held thereby, a cutter carried by the bladeiiexing member, means for vibrating the cutter, and independent means for lifting the cutter in its carrier toward the flexed tudinal edges of a blade, a thin flexible blade having transverse slots presenting transverse 'shearing edges, a blade-flexing member having a blade-engaging face and being movable in the holder to flex transversely a blade'in the holder.

and a reciprocatory cutter having a face with transverse shearing edges maintained in contact with the ilexed blade, without appreciably changing the shape of the ilexed blade from that determined by said blade-ilexing'member. 

